NEW-STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST-Questions/Answers

[ILUVWDWTOO]

Originally posted by Fargoman2
I am trying to get myself educated about the merits of the Starwood program
and I continue to be slow on the learning curve. I am signed up and busy
collecting points with my AMEX card, etc.

I have the following questions:

1. We will arrive in Orlando at 10:50 p.m., Monday, July 29. This means we won't likely check in until at least midnight. I fear the room selection will be
skimpy "left-overs" and thus my expectations for getting a free upgrade just
for being a Starwood member are minimal. So, should I use points ahead of
time to secure a better room? If so, how?


Thanks for any info you provide. I'd be lost without these boards.

Fargoman,

Don't check in on the 29th! Book a room at the Sheraton Suites at the airport, it will save you some money and get 500 points if you book it online. Check in the morning of the 30th relaxed that way. Not to mention it counts as another *stay* if you are trying to hit an elite level this year.

Debbie

 

[LBYC-19]

FM: That was excellent advice if you are trying to accumulate points (Sheraton)...
I may be wrong here, but I think if you have a definitive request, the room is locked in right then, unless you are dealing with an upgrade. A suite is an excellent example of this.

I will share my own experience rather than try to answer each question...we have only had SPG for a year; when we first booked we had very few points, but by the time of our trip, it had been upgraded to gold as DH travels frequently (but we all know from Jen there are multiple other ways to obtain points!).

We originally booked a junior suite. These go early, I'd never count on an upgrade here..we also have five in our family...because we decided we wanted ground level, I called back to cancel the junior suite and book two connecting/adjoining rooms, with the specific request "ground level, poolside, nonsmoking".. as we had been in this area on our last trip. She told me this was an upgraded room (water view) and because of Starwood, it was honored. We had a discount on the room through Disney Club. We were also repeat customers which they indicated on the reservation. We arrived at 8 pm and had no problem with this request as the room had been blocked off. Now, I know my request wasn't popular as a tiny percentage request ground level; I assume this was in our favor.

Jimmie C: I think others would agree that sending requests via the S/D website isn't that helpful. Give them specifics such as "east wing, epcot view, fifth floor, nonsmoking...." when booking as they will indicate it on the original reservation. People on these boards have posted that if you call really close to your stay (a week out maybe? not sure of exact time) that they just might reveal your room number, or at least location to you. Do your homework carefully by checking out Glo's website and all of the Dolphin threads you can get your hands on as far as specifically requesting an area that will suit your family's needs.

They are in the process of renovating the rooms within the next year; it wouldn't hurt to request this. Regarding upgrades, it definitely depends on availability of rooms, i.e., how crowded the resort is at the time. It is never something I would count on, despite Starwood status. For example, when we checked in I heard a couple request an upgrade (this was April vacation week) and they were emphatically but politely told, "the resort is full, we have no upgraded rooms". This is a convention resort, and if there are multiple conventions going on at once (like we had) the chances are minimal.

I hope this has helped a little, my knowledge of Starwood is limited.
----------
Joanne

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by LBYC-19


I hope this has helped a little, my knowledge of Starwood is limited.
----------
Joanne

Not true Joanne! You're offering great advice and helpful insight. I've had SPG for a few years now, (since it's inception), and am a platinum member...but am always learning new things/aspects every day thanks to all of you! This is a Wonderful thread!

 

[Swan]

Thanks Dreamflight99. That was what I wanted to know (was hoping to get a massage for DH on fathers day).
I have another question or two. I have a lake view, what would the next upgrade be? How many points is that? We are staying ten nights and I do not have enough points to get an upgrade for all the nights, will they let me upgrade for some of the nights than switch to a lake view? We will be arriving on 6/7 and I was thinking of upgrading at that time since it was not real busy last year. Do you agree? Thanks ............Gail

 

[Jen80370]

I know that when you start at standard view...upgrade to Club level is 750 points per night. An upgrade to Blacony is 1250 per night, and Suites are 10,000 a night. Hope this helps.

 

[rgionet]

Ok I have a dumb question - is Club level the same as Concierge? Do the Swan and Dolphin have food offerings in Concierge as the other Deluxe hotels in Disney do?? Thanks in advance if anyone knows!

Renee

 

[NancyIL]

Yes, the Club level at Swan/Dolphin = Concierge. Food is served in the Club lounge from 7-10 a.m. (fruit, pastries, cereal) and from 5-7 p.m. (cheese and crackers, veggies and dip).

 

[rgionet]

Thanks NancyIL for your fast response!
I have a gold Starwood card - does that give an automatic upgrade to club level? Also does your level reset every year? I reached gold level because I did some business traveling at my old job last year and I managed to transfer my clickrewards points before they shut down. I was hoping I would be able to keep my status now that I reached it!

Renee

 

[Tiffany]

Hi,

My brother works for the Westin here in Boston. He was over the other day an said that he could get me a discount on our upcoming Dolphin trip. I gave him our dates and said okay go for it. We already had a 50% rate using AAA $162.50 for a king bed, limited view room.

Today I signed on to the Sheraton website to check on my ressie and it is still there.

I went to checkout dates for our trips in 2003, I know we have not even gone on this trip yet , and it looks like the following codes are now in my profile. Does anyone know what they mean?

Under my name is reads "Preferred Plus". Anyone know what that means? When I clicked to check rates at the Dolphin in May of 2003 the field titled "SET or corporate account number" was defaulted to 3456. Does anyone know what that field is/what does it mean. It will not let me book online it says to call for rates.

Do you think this is becuase of trying to use the employee discount? Any insight will be appricated.

 

[LBYC-19]

Regarding your question on automatic upgrade to club level with gold status...

We also have gold and what they offered us upon arrival (April, 2002) was waiving the resort fee (meaning it would be complimentary). Our room was an upgraded view (this was handled when we made our reservation, it was an automatic upgrade). You may have to use points up front to insure club level, but others may have a better insight into this. ..nancy, DF??
---------
Joanne

 

[NancyIL]

Tiffany - you must have the Starwood AMEX card, because cardholders get the "Preferred Plus" designation. If you call Starwood and tell them you have the Platinum SPG card, they should upgrade you to GOLD status!

Our AMEX is in my DH's name, so when I check rates using his Starwood number, it also shows "SET 3456." Just click on the "change" button and erase the SET number. Then you can check the promotional, AAA, or government rates. Sometimes the lowest rates are shown when you leave that space blank!

Special rates like the Starhot (for employees) probably don't show up in the system. Find out if your brother used the same confirmation number you received with your original AAA reservation. The last thing you need is TWO reservations!

Renee - I believe you need to requalify for gold status every year. Your Starwood card should have an expiration date on it. You need 10 stays or 25 nights to maintain your gold status: http://www.starwood.com/preferredguest/benefits/benefits_landing.html

As a gold member, you will be upgraded to a "preferred" room when available. You get the best available room and club level privileges when you are a Platinum member (20 stays/40 nights).

 

[Tiffany]

Thanks NancyIL. I had applied for the AmEx Starwood and I did get a call the other day telling me I was approved but because I do not have the card yet I forgot about it. Thanks that does make sense.

I have to call my brother and follow up on the Starhot rate. He is not traveling with us but he insited that he could get an employee rate anyway. Well, I have to see what happens.

Thanks again for the quick response.

 

[Jen80370]

Ah to have an employee discount! Tiffany you are a lucky one. Great answers Nancy and Joanne...I too get the 3456 code and find when I erase it I get better rates (sometimes)...I usually try it both ways to cover all bases.As for Club Level, it is only guaranteed with platinum, but they have been known to be generous to gold members, depending on how booked they are. To ensure it, it is 750 points a night.


Good luck!

 

[NancyIL]

I participated in the Inside Flyer promotion to get 2,500 Starwood bonus points. Our first issue of Inside Flyer magazine arrived today (May issue), and it looks like it will be GREAT for coordinating all of our American Airlines miles and Marriott/Starwood/Holiday Inn/Hilton points. It's not too late to take advantage of the offer for $59.95: http://www.insideflyer.com/starwood/productnav.cgi?ID=POU5-38AAAEAACr8gg8&FILE=infoifa.htm

 

[Jen80370]

Thanks Nancy! I cannot wait to get home and check the mail!

 

[NancyIL]

After quickly skimming through the May issue of Inside Flyer, I'm quite excited to see all the kudos for the Starwood Preferred Guest Program and the Starwood American Express card! It's always wonderful whenever the "experts" validate what you've been thinking all along! Jen - you'll love reading it!

 

[NancyIL]

I just read in Inside Flyer magazine that the Kellogg's/American Airlines promotion is STILL ongoing until Nov. 30th! Look for specially-marked boxes of certain Kellogg's cereals (Miniwheats, Low-fat Granola, Cracklin Oat Bran, Complete Oat Bran, Complete Wheat Bran, Mueslix, All Bran, and Just Right), as well as Nutri-Grain Bars/Twists/Squares and Pastry Swirls - featuring The American Dream American Airlines Promotion.

 

[Shelly]

Nanc--since you appear to be a frequent flier expert, I have a question. You have to actually transfer your points to American correct? Aprox how many miles for one round trip in U.S. coach ticket? And aprox how many starwood points would that be?

Also if you didn't notice If you update your hilton hhonors acount profile by june 30th you get an instant 1,000 points go to hiltonhhonrs.com/profile. I just called them to stay for our trip to DW on points in GA, and was mentioning to the woman that it was a shame that I have to call to use my points, because I would book online for the 1,000 pt bonus. Guess what? She said that is rotten and gave me the 1,000 points. I was in shock, and while thanking her, she upgraded me to Silver. I usually am at silver but it expired with the new year and I hadn't gotten there yet.

 

[NancyIL]

Shelly - thanks for the Hilton Honors tip!

It requires 25,000 American Airlines miles for one free coach class ticket within the continental United States. Starwood points transfer 1:1 to American, but you get 5,000 bonus miles from Starwood when you transfer 20,000 Starpoints! So - 20,000 Starwood points = 25,000 American Airlines miles!

 

[happytrails2u]

Way to go Shelly and thanks for the HHonors tip.

We also received our first issue of inside flyer today, Nancy. Thanks for pointing out that A/A - Kellogs promo and glad to see that it will be offered through Nov 30th. The promo is mentioned on p. 57 in small print. Five certificates (off the boxes) will net you 500 bonus miles! Eat up folks -

Most of the other airlines are also offering promos (in this section) such as flight, hotel, car rental, credit card and misc bonuses. What a great publication!

Keep up the good work points experts and thanks for starting this thread!